A file photo of fisherfolks

Some artisanal fishers in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have expressed gratitude to the government for exempting them from the 2025 closed fishing season, which commenced on July 1.

They described the exemption as a welcome relief that would alleviate the hardship faced by fisherfolk and their families, who depend heavily on fishing for their livelihoods during the period.

Prosper Nuworkpor, a fisherman at Tetekope, a suburb of Keta, hailed the decision, stating that it would positively impact many coastal communities.

“We fisherfolk in Keta are grateful to President Mahama for fulfilling his campaign promise. The exemption will help ease economic hardships,” he said.

Nuworkpor clarified that artisanal fishers were not opposed to the closed season itself, but believed the July implementation needed to be reconsidered, advocating for broader consultation to maximize economic and ecological benefits.

He added that the exemption was conditional upon adherence to sustainable fishing practices, such as observing traditional non-fishing days and refraining from the use of illegal or harmful fishing methods.

“The exemption is based on the understanding that artisanal activities will not significantly deplete the already dwindling fish stock in the country,” he explained.

Vans Kwaku Adedze, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Canoe Fishers Council in the Volta Region, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the closed season remains a vital fisheries management tool. It is intended to conserve fish stocks, promote regeneration, and ensure long-term sustainability of the marine ecosystem.

He stated that industrial trawlers would still observe the two-month closure from July 1 to August 31, while the exemption allows artisanal fishers to continue operating under strict guidelines.